Israeli Biopolitics

Closure, Territorialisation and Governmentality in the Occupied Palestinian Territories

Bibliographic Data

ID3948955
AuthorsNigel Parsons (Massey University, corresponding author), Mark B Salter (0000-0002-3379-1107, University of Ottawa)
Year2008
Volume13
Issue4
Pages701-723
Publication date2008-11-26
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGeopolitics (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1465-0045 • E-ISSN: 1557-3028
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/14650040802275511
OpenAlexW1968641244
LanguageEN
Citations received50

This paper argues for the inclusion of biopolitical practices of mobility regulation into study of Israeli control of the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). State investment in bifurcated infrastructure, checkpoints, identity documents and a permit system underlines the centrality of closure to occupation. Through closure, Israeli agents of government aim beyond sovereign control of the Israeli-Palestinian border or narrowly conceived security for Israeli subjects. Differentiating, quantifying, documenting and disciplining, closure constitutes biopolitical control of the occupied Palestinian population. Palestinian agents are tasked with minor administrative responsibilities, but only within a framework of Israeli biopolitical control. Our analysis draws on empirical material from fieldwork in the West Bank and three case studies of Palestinian life in East Jerusalem. Findings point towards an Israeli “governmentality” of Palestinian mobility informed by incomplete territorialisation of the West Bank and demographic anxiety

Biopower · Closure (psychology) · Governmentality · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Population · Sociology · State (computer science) · Jewish and Middle Eastern Studies · Law · Middle East Politics and Society · Water Governance and Infrastructure

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